Opera Singer, Actress. Born in Trieste, Italy, she was an mezzo-soprano with one of the longest careers in opera history. She made her official debut in Florence in 1940 and quickly established her reputation performing in opera houses in Europe, South America, America and Asia, until 1999. Considered a formidable actress as well as a singer, she also appeared in “Cenerentola” (1948) “Andrea Chenier” (1981), “Cavalleria Rusticana” (1982), “Rigoletto” (1982) and Opera Fanatic” (1999). (bio by: John “J-Cat” Griffith)